Bolster.



P. DITCHFIELD.

BOLSTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10. 1914-.

,123,257 Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

of worn rails has always FRANK DITGHFIELI), 0F MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

BOLSTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Application filed April 10, 1914. Serial No. 830,932.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK Direi-nimm, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, and resident of the city of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec and Dominion of Canada, have invented new and useful Improvementsl in Bolsters, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description.

This invention relates to improvements in bolsters, and the object is to provide a bolster using rail sections for the compression and tension members.

A further object is to provide a bolster so arranged that accuracy of dimension in certain directions is not necessary in order that worn rails may be used.

A still further object is to provide a bolster using rail sections for tension and compression members, in which the stress of the tension member is accurately centered on the compression members.

Another object is to provide a bolster structure having the minimum depth at the ends.

Still another object is to provide a bolster comprising a minimum number of parts connected by a minimum number of rivets.

At the present time, all railroads suffer considerable loss in the disposal of worn rails. The difference between the price of worn rails as scrap and new rails is out of all proportion to the loss of metal from wear and the cost of reworking, so that the question of economically using or disposing been a problem of considerable4 magnitude. Even with the constant use of old rails for sidings and the like and for miscellaneous purposes, there still remains a large number of rails which must be disposed of at great loss. It is possible to re-roll worn rails to smaller section, but with the constantly increasing weight of rolling stock, the lighter rails have only a limited use, and there is in addition the cost of re-rolling.

The present invention aims both at providing a use for the worn rails and to provide a strong and durable bolster at very low cost. This is accomplished by using rail sections for the compression and tension members of the bolster. The compression and tension members are connected together by suitable castings secured in place by a minimum number of rivets. In order to obtain a minimum depth at the bolster ends,

the tension member is deformed to eliminate the web, and looped over the end casting,"which is designed to center the stress of the tension member directly on the end of the compression members, so that there is nothing beyond a compression stress in the end castings.

In the drawings which illustrate the invention z-Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section at the center of the bolster. Fig. 3 is a plan view.

`ig. t is an outer end elevation. Fig. 5 shows on the left an inner end elevation ot the end casting, and on the right, a section of the end casting on the line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section at the center of the bolster.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 11 designates the compression and 12 the tension members of a bolster, each of which is formed of inverted rail sections. The compression member 11 is preferably formed of two spaced rail sections, and the tension member of a single rail section, lo-

cated centrally under the space between the compression members and having its ends passing between the ends of the compression members.

The strut 13 at the center of the bolster' is of substantially the usual form, having its upper end shaped in conformity with the sides of the compression members, and provided with an aperture 14 fora king pin. The lower end of the strut is flanged at l5 to hold the base of the tension member against displacement. This strut is rigidly connected to the compression member by rivets 16 which members are in turn connected to one another by being riveted to the center plate 17. The center plate is provided with side flanges 18 which embrace opposite sides of the compression members and hold the same against lateral displacement.

The compression members 11 termediate the center and ends, so that the end portions are parallel with the center portion, but in a different plane. The tension member is bent upwardly from the strut and passes between the end portions of the compression members. In order to reduce the depth of the bolster at the ends, the ends of the tension member are deformed, so that the web of the rail section disappearsbeing absorbed in the head which is driven down are offset in- A ofribs between which the head of the @of these ribs are suitably and becomes attached directly to the base.

The metal of the web may be disposed either v 22 and an outer end plate 23 suitably aper? tured for the passage of the tension member. Within the end casting and.` formed integral with the sides thereof are ribs 24 which conform to the shape ofthe compression mem` bers,liitting snugly between the base and head, and vagainst the web of each, Between the compression members, the bottom plate of the end vcasting is provided with a pair tension member passes. The upper edges inclined port the base of the tension member, which passes out of the casting through the aper-A ture 26 inthe outer end plate 23 thereof. An inclined lip 27 is provided at the junction of the outer end and top plates, parallel with the sloping upperedges of lthe ribs 25. The extreme end of the tension member which may bel suitably tapered is bent over this/lip in U-shape and secured 1 by rivets 28. Y The pull ofthe tension mem-v ber on this lip is `communicated to the compression members by means of two heavy ribs 29 at the ends of the lip, located exactly in liney with the webs of the compression members. lThis arrangement relieves the endcastingl of; all bending or twisting stresses, the pull of the tension member being exerted directly againstthe ends of the compression members, the end casting being held in compression between themembers.

The innerend of the 'casting is open for the `insertion of the compressionand tension members. fected vby a wedge-shaped filler 30,` which is inserted after .thel compression and tension members are in place. v- This filler bears upwardly against ,theA top. plate land downwardly against the ybase of the tension mem- `loer holding the same securely down onthe ribs 25. Y In addition, the filler is shaped at the yends to fit snugly betweenvthe head` and base, and against the web of each compression member, so that these members are heldagainst movement toward one another. The filler is secured in place by means of rivets 31- passing through the compressionA members and side `plates of the end casting and by a rivet 32 passing through the 'top plate of the casting.

The method of making the bolsters is eX-V tremely simple. After thevcompression and tension ,members have been f completely formed, with theeXc'eption of thel loop onthe ends of :the tension member, the ,comsk f pression and tension members and strut are and sup-- n tions yenables Closure of this end ,is ef` assembled, and the end castings slipped on until the outer end plates 23 abut the ends of the compressionmembers. The projecting ends of the tension member which have "'b'eenpreviously heated are then bent over fthe' lip of the end casting. As the tension member cools, the metal contracts andV draws the tension andcompression members and end castings very ltightly together. The tension member and lips are then drilled, and the rivets r28 inserted. Finally, the Wedge-shared 1511421530. iLS up tightly between thetop plate 2Q and base ,of thehtension member, 'and secured 'in .po-

sition by ltherivets 3l andw32.. e I,

, From the foregoing description, and the drawings, it willlbe readily seen that the only bearing betweenthe rail sections andV castings ison .the base web and underside of the head of` therailysections, where no wear occurs and where the variation in `size is practically negligible. The top of the base and underside. of the l,head are converging surfaces,` and asthe parts of the castings Iengaging these surfaces are similarlyV tapered,

inserted and driven .sov

1t is obvious that satisfactorily tight lits may vbe obtained. The` treads of the rail .sections do not come into contact with the castings, and are in no way used as bearing surfaces, so that if apertures inthe castings are made to accommodate Vanew rail, any rail of the same section, no matter yhow badly worn, may be used with satisfac tory results. The use of inverted rail secthe perfect bearing to be ob-k tained. rlehe use of two spaced rail sections forming the compression memberv enables the tensionl member to be inserted between the same at the ends, so that the forces actfL ing in the members are properly centralized at the ends. The interdigitating arrangement of the members, combined with the reforming of the tension memberV ends, enablesa very shallow end casting to be obtained which maybe used on almostany style of truck. In this connection, it will be y. understood that while the side and bottom plates ofthe end castingsfare shown plain, these may be formed in accordance with thel design of truck or other apparatus in which f the bolsterV is used. v y

While the end members `have been' referred to as castings, it is obvious thatthey may be forgings or formed, according to any other method. ,e

Having thusI described my invention, what I Vclaim is e .3 f

l. A bolster] having the ,compression and tension members formed of rail sections.y

terdigitating at the bolster ends.

llU

formed of inverted rail ist vizi

4. In a bolster, a compression member composed of a plurality of substantially parallel portions, and a tension member straight between the center and ends of the compression member composed of parts one less in number than the compression member parts, the ends of said tension member passing between the portions of the compression member at the ends thereof, and an end member connecting the ends of the compression and tension members.

5. In a bolster, a compression member formed of a pair of rail sections spaced apart, a tension member of rail section, and end members connecting adjacent ends of said compression and tension members.

6. In a bolster, compression and tension members formed of rail sections, and end members embracing the ends of said compression and tension members, and forming a connection therebetween.

7. In a bolster, compression and tension members formed of rail sections, an end member embracing the ends of said compression and tension members and abutting the ends of the compression members.

8. In a bolster, compression and tension members formed of rail sections, an end member embracing the ends of said compression and tension members and abutting the ends of the compression members, and supporting means for the tension member arranged to direct the pull of the tension member -centrally against the ends of the compression members.

9. In a bolster, compression and tension members formed of rail sections, an end member embracing the ends of said compression and tension members and abutting the ends of the compression members, a lip on said end member for the attachment of the tension member, and supporting ribs for said lip positioned to center the pull of the tension member against the ends of the compression members.

l0. In a bolster, a pair of spaced compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section having the ends thereof projecting between the compression members, and means directing the pull. of the tension member centrally on the ends of the compression members.

11. In a bolster, spaced compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member `of inverted rail section projecting at its ends between the ends of the compression members, an end member, and a lip thereon for the attachment of the tension member arranged to direct the pull of the tension member centrally against the ends of the compression members.

l2. In a bolster, spaced compression mem bers of rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section, a member connecting the ends of the compression members, ribs therein arranged to support the tension member, and attaching means for said tension member formed to direct the pull thereof centrally against the ends of the compression members.

13. In a bolster, compression members of rail section, a tension member of rail section, an end member connecting the ends of the compression and tension members and held in compression therebetween.

let. In a bolster, a pair of compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section, end members connecting the ends of the compression and tension members, each comprising a top plate, side plates conforming to the contour of the compression members, and means for supporting the tension member between the compression members.

l5. ln a bolster, a pair of compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section, end members connecting the ends of said compression and tension members and each comprising top and side plates following the contour of the compression members, an end plate apertured for the passage of the tension member, a ribbed bottom plate arranged to support the tension member, and a lip adjacent the aperture of the end plate over which the end of the tension member is bent.

I6. In a bolster, a pair of compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section, end members connecting the ends of said compression and tension members comprising top and side plates following the contour of the compression members, an end plate apertured for the passage of the tension member forming an abutment for the end of the compression members, a lip on said end plate for the attachment of the tension member, and supports for said lip directing the pull of the tension member to the portions of the end plate forming compression member abutments.

l?. In a bolster, compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section having its ends passing between the ends of the compression members, end members connecting the ends of the compression and tension members each comprising top and side plates holding the compression members against upward and outward movement, an end plate abutting the ends of the compression members, and a bottom plate having ribs thereon arranged to hold the tension member against downward and lateral movement.

18. In a bolster, compression and tension members of inverted rail section. end memlbers connecting the ends of said compression and tension members, and a key inserted between the compression and tension mm1@ersY and. aranged to hold the same against movement relatively to one another and to the end member. 19; In a bolster, compression' and tensin members of inverted rail section, end inem# bers connecting the ends of said compression and tension members and eaeh com# prising top and side plates holding, the compression members against upward and outward movement, a bottom plate holding the i tension m'ember'against downward and lateral movement, and a key inserted between the compressionand tension members 'holding the Compression members against in? ward and downwardY movement andthe ten'- si'on member against upward movement.

20. In a bolster, a compression member formed of two substantially parallel parts, a tension member of Lgreater depth than ,width inserted 'at its ends between the ends of the compressionk members, and having portion of its ends reduced in sion member having the web thereof elimi-` nate'd and the base gradually widened at the Ends, the head being formed directly on the ase.` a

24. In bolster, compression and tension members of inverted rail section,.the tension member decreasing indepth and `inv'creasin'gjin width at the ends.`

25; In a'bolster, a pair of compression Liese?? of innerted rail?v 'setiena'` a ten- `l sion member of inverted rail section having the ends thereof inserted between the endsvv of the' eonpres'sion member and reduced in depth sufncientlyfto lie `within the same plane as. the bIS'; Y

26. In a bolster, afpair of compression members" of invertedr'ail section., a tension member of inverted rail section having the ends thereof'inserted between the ends of the compression members and simultane-A ends fthe' compression memc n c v members, and a keywithin the end member holding the compression and tension-members against relative movement.

28. In a bolster, apair of compression members of inverted rail section, a tension member of inverted rail section, a strut separating said compression and tensionI members 'at their centers, end members apertured for the passage of the tension member lends and abutting the ends of the compression members, said tension membersl and atv having the ends thereof bent over tached to said end members'.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set` my hand in the ypresence of twowitnesses.

.FRANK DITCHFIELD.

' Witnesses v S. It. W. ALLEN, G. M. MORLAND.

. Copies :of tlii's patent may be obtained for five cents each. by`addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

` Washington, D.`C. 

